Tag: Charlie Anderson

Knoxville Gets Its Own ‘Music Row’

Posted by Sarah Malak – May 19, 2010

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – (May 19, 2010) – Knoxville Habitat for Humanity and thKnoxville Habitat for Humanity Music Rowe Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation are teaming up with America’s talented musical artists to build a ‘Music Row’ in Knoxville. Only this ‘Music Row’ serves to provide local families with simple, decent and affordable housing.

Today, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of country duo Brooks & Dunn participated in the dedication of the ‘Brooks & Dunn’ house, the first of the ‘Music Row’ houses made possible by the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation. The home is located at 1717 LeFlore, formerly Bonny Ave., in Knoxville.

“The work of Habitat for Humanity is extraordinary and inspiring. It is an honor to be part of this project and have our names on one of Knoxville’s new ‘Music Row’ homes,” said Brooks & Dunn.

‘Music Row’ will be a collection of numerous houses built by Knoxville Habitat for Humanity on LeFlore Ave. in the Lonsdale community. The houses, each of which will be built during the next 10 years, are underwritten by the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation from an annual benefit concert featuring a country music act. Brooks & Dunn performed at the first event in 2008 and the first house is built in their honor. Next year, a home will be built in honor of recording artist Martina McBride, who performed at the 2009 benefit.

Even though the homes are underwritten by the foundation, the homes are not given away. In lieu of a down payment, all Knoxville Habitat for Humanity homeowners are required to complete 500 hours of sweat equity, mostly in the form of budgeting and homeowner classes. In addition, the family pays a mortgage on the home that is at zero-percent over 25 to 30 years.

Besides a visit from country duo Brooks & Dunn, the dedication included remarks from Knoxville Habitat for Humanity’s president and CEO, Kelle Shultz and Charlie and Moll Anderson of the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation.

Country duo Brooks & Dunn along with Charlie and Moll Anderson talk with new Habitat for Humanity homeowner Stephanie Davis and her family in front of their new home on ‘Music Row’ in Knoxville, Tenn.

Country duo Brooks & Dunn along with Charlie and Moll Anderson talk with new Habitat for Humanity homeowner Stephanie Davis and her family in front of their new home on ‘Music Row’ in Knoxville, Tenn.

“Today we’re celebrating new homeowner Stephanie Davis, thanks to the generosity of the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation,” said Shultz. “When Brooks & Dunn hand Stephanie the keys to her new house it will unlock her dream of home ownership.”

“Home ownership has an incredible generational impact on families. According to a 2001 Harvard University study, children whose families own a home have better home environments, higher cognitive test scores and fewer behavioral problems than do children of renters,” said Charlie Anderson. “The positive affect that a steady, grounded home environment can have on a child is amazing.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of the ‘Music Row’ here in Knoxville. One of our Foundation’s key philosophies is to provide basic human needs, and shelter fits into that category.  Working with Knoxville Habitat for Humanity is a perfect way for us to focus on something that’s so important for all humans – a safe and healthy home,” said Moll Anderson.

About Knoxville Habitat for Humanity

Knoxville Habitat for Humanity is an independent, nonprofit, Christian housing ministry that partners with people of all beliefs. Knoxville Habitat for Humanity has been an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International since 1985 and builds simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with people in need. Volunteers and future homeowners provide the labor in building the homes, while tax-deductible donations of money, land and materials are provided by individuals, organizations and corporations. In 2010, Knoxville Habitat for Humanity will build its 400th home in Knox County. For more information visit www.KnoxvilleHabitatforHumanity.com.

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For more information:

Mike Cohen, Ackermann PR                   Dan Hurst, Knoxville Habitat for Humanity

865-584-0550                                            865-293-8012

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley receives major gift and matching funds challenge from Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation

Posted by Sarah Malak – April 29, 2010

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – (April 29, 2010) – Today, during the Gift of Hope Fundraising Luncheon that benefits Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, Moll Anderson representing the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation announced an outright gift of $150,000 to the organization, plus another $150,000 as a challenge grant.  For any person or organization donating funds during or after the luncheon, the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation will match that contribution, dollar for dollar, up to $150,000.

Since any funds donated will be matched by the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation, this is the best opportunity to donate to Boys & Girls Clubs. Essentially, this campaign has the capacity to generate $450,000 for the organization.

“We had heard of the struggle that Boys & Girls Clubs is going through right now. Budgets are tight for everyone, but this is an organization that the East Tennessee community should never be without,” said Moll Anderson. “I personally have a wonderful history with Boys & Girls Clubs through my son and I can say first-hand that the organization makes an extremely positive difference in the lives of our youth. So, my husband Charlie and I are doing everything we can to motivate the community to donate as well.”

It costs Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley approximately $1,000 per child each year to serve all 6,000 members of the organization. If the goal is reached and $450,000 is donated from this campaign, that means 450 children will in essence be “sponsored” from the community.

“We are challenging organizations and individuals to give or raise $1,000 and sponsor one child each. And this is a great way to get friends involved – host a bake sale, a car wash, and have fun with it! We’ll match dollar for dollar, so any money that’s donated will go even further,” said Moll Anderson.

“We are thrilled that the Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation is stepping up to the plate with this contribution. We have had to cut $1.2 million from our budget over the past two years and we cannot cut further without seriously curtailing services,” said John D. Lee, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.

The Gift of Hope Award, which was presented today, was created to honor and recognize Emmet P. “Buck” and Linda Vaughn for their many years of outstanding dedication, inspiration and hope they have provided to the members of Boys & Girls Clubs. Buck and Linda honored the George Sampson Family and Cherokee Distributing Company with the award in appreciation of 32 years of exceptional support of fund raising events, programs and services of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.

Boys & Girls Clubs is embarking on a 15-month fundraising effort to raise $1.3 million, beginning with the annual Gift of Hope Fundraising Luncheon. Half of that is needed between now and Dec. 31, 2010, in order to maintain programs and critical outreach services. The organization also must raise $1.3 million every year in the future to sustain operations.

Boys & Girls Clubs currently serves 5,825 members, ages 5 to 18 years old throughout the region. The organization also provides 414,970 USDA hot meals and snacks annual for members free of charge. The Clubs see as many as 1,200 youth walk through the doors on any given day. There are 15 Club locations in Knox, Blount, Loudon and North Anderson Counties.

Those who are interested in donating may do so by visiting www.bgctnv.org. For more information or to schedule an interview, contact John D. Lee at (865) 248-1100 or jlee@bgctnv.org.

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About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley

Boys & Girls Clubs has served the Tennessee Valley region since 1943. Its mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need the organization the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The organization’s programs are focused on Character & Leadership Development, Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills, the Arts, Sports and Fitness & Recreation. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley serves members in Knox, Blount, Loudon and North Anderson Counties. The organization employs more than 260 trained, professional, caring staff and welcomes more than 1,200 volunteers annually. It is a charter member of United Way.

Media Contact
Sarah Malak
Ackermann PR
(865) 584-0550
smalak@ackermannpr.com

Lower Price Music Packages Praised by Top Distributor

Posted by Ryan Willis – March 18, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. – The CEO of one of America’s largest music distribution companies said today that packaging music for consumers priced at $10 or less is a key  part of the industry’s future.

“Last week, Warner recording artist Blake Shelton, came out with a “six pack”, (six songs sold for $6 in Walmart), and now Universal Music Group is endorsing the same concept by offering a wide range of music for under $10.” said Charlie Anderson, CEO of Anderson Merchandisers.  “I applaud them.  We all know this is where the music industry must head.”

Anderson Merchandisers, headquartered in Amarillo, TX, distributes music to all Walmart stores in the U.S. and Canada, as well as to AAFES, the on-base stores for military bases.  No other American firm distributes more albums than Anderson.

“The change from vinyl albums to tapes to CD’s basically left the same album format in place,” said Anderson.  “The one song digital download has changed all that.  We need to keep pace with our consumers who are seeking more flexibility and value, both digitally and on disc.”

“What we all need to realize is that building a system that is more responsive to what consumers want is in everybody’s best interest.  No matter what the delivery system, it is still real talent that makes music sell.”

Anderson Merchandisers, L.P. is one of the nation’s largest distributors of pre-recorded music, movies, and books.

A privately held company, Anderson Merchandisers, L.P. is an affiliate of Anderson Media, headquartered in Knoxville, TN which was established in 1917.  The company has more than 4,000 associates across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Media Contact:
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com